Page 6 of A Little Christmas Jericho
Sue me.
I swallowed hard, working hard to sort through the mess of confusing emotions running through me. Choosing to focus on my babies, I looked at Daisy, smoothed her ears when I responded. "Thank you, doctor," I whispered before sneaking a peek at him.
His expression softened, the harsh line of his jaw easing as he gave a small nod. "Call me Colter. And they're your family. Family matters. We'll make sure they're safe."
My chest fluttered in a confusing mix of fear, gratitude, and a healthy dose of lust.
I really needed to get a grip on myself before I jumped Doctor Daddy while he checked out my pets.
Chapter 4
Doctor Daddy's—I really needed to stop thinking of him like that and use his given name—hands moved with surprising gentleness for such a big man as he opened Finch's carrier, murmuring low so the cat didn't spook. I couldn't stop myself from talking.
Half explanations. But mostly nervous rambles.
"It probably sounds ridiculous. I mean, he's an asshole, but he isn't a monster. But see... Oscar, my, uh... ex, well, he never liked them. The cats, especially. He said they were too much trouble. SaidIwas too much trouble for keeping them, and with the amount of attention I gave them. But you're right. They're family."
Doctor...noColter made a sound in his throat. I couldn't quite pin down if he was agreeing with me or just indulging me. Then he lifted Finch with care, checking eyes, gums, the soft press of his belly. Finch blinked and grumbled but didn't resist the gentle treatment by the very sexy vet.
Good kitty. Extra treats for you when you get home.
"Has your ex ever helped with their care?" Colter asked, tone even, but his eyes cut to me with an intensity that made my stomach flip. "Or was that mostly on you?"
I licked my lips before shrugging sheepishly. "Oh, on me. Always on me. We didn't live together or anything, and he wouldn't even be available to check in and feed them if I ever needed to go out of town. He was a keeper like that. Not only that, he wasn't a big fan of the extra care they required, or the bills they came with."
Colter set Finch gently back into his carrier, his brows furrowed in something that looked a lot like anger, though surprisingly not directed at me. Was this delicious man feeling aggressiveforme? Oh, be still, my beating heart.
Then his expression softened once again as he looked up at me. "So tell me how you came to have all four of them?"
I felt my ears heat, but once I started, I couldn't stop.
"Daisy was my first baby. She was dumped on the side of the road, covered in fleas and ticks, and so emaciated that her ribs were showing. When I first brought her home she'd shy away from any direct contact with me, or the vet I took her to, and she still gets anxious and jumpy around big, loud men and she tends to hide whenever my ex and I fought." I looked at my baby fondly before giving her a good scratch behind the ear. "But she's the sweetest soul. Aren't you girl?”
Daisy responded by licking my face and wagging her butt from side to side.
"Now, Murphy came from the shelter. He's got a few health issues, most prominent being his hips. But if you ask him, he's indestructible and tries to do way more than he should. My biggest challenge is trying to keep him calm and out of mischief." I gave a shaky laugh as Murphy thumped his tail in response to his name. "Finch... well, he was the runt from a hoarding case. One bad eye, slightly smaller than most, but other than that, he'sperfect. A bit uppity, mind you. But he's my snob. And then, last but not least is Tofu, my grumpy prince. Someone dumped his entire litter in a box on the side of the road. I managed to get homes for everyone but him. He also nearly died as a kitten, and now he has to be on a special diet or he has trouble breathing."
As I spoke, Colter moved from pet to pet, checking each with practiced care. He listened closely, asked questions when needed but basically gave my babies the attention theydeserved. It was such a novel experience I practically swooned on the spot.
"You know, Jericho, you've done an extraordinary job with them," he said simply, voice firm but warm. "Most people would have given up at the first hurdle. Honestly, a lot do. But you've taken them on; they're healthy and quite obviously loved. You should be proud of yourself, buddy."
The praise—and nickname—hit me square in the chest. My throat tightened, and I had to duck my head, pretending to fuss with Daisy's collar just to hide my blush and get myself under control.
Colter straightened, removing his gloves. "I don't see anything outwardly concerning on the initial exam. We'll do the blood tests and screenings and keep them overnight just to be sure. In the morning I'll call with the results, and we can make arrangements for you to fetch them."
I felt such immense relief at the clean bill of health he tentatively gave them that I nearly collapsed onto the floor.
As it was I sank down onto my knees and cuddled Daisy close, breathing in her sweaty doggy musk while borrowing some strength from her before looking up at the delicious Doctor Daddy. "Thank you so much, Doctor. You have no idea how relieved I am to hear that."
He smiled at me before reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small card. But instead of handing it to me he walked overto the desk, grabbed a pen and scribbled on the back before handing it to me.
I looked down at the business card to admire the masculine scrawl on the back of it.
"My personal number," he said, his eyes locking on mine. "Save it in your phone so you recognise it, should I need to phone you. Or, you know... use it in case you feel the need."
I swallowed hard and felt my hands get clammy.
Was he?
